30 June 2011

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 ˙ǝןıɟoɹd ʞooqǝɔɐɟ ʎɯ oʇ ƃoןq sıɥʇ ɯoɹɟ sʇsod ǝɹɐɥs ʎןןɐuoısɐɔɔo puɐ 'ʞooqǝɔɐɟ uo ɯɐ ı

˙ʎןʇɹoɥs pǝɯnsǝɹ ǝq ןןıʍ ǝɔıʌɹǝs ןɐɯɹou - ʎɹɹoʍ ʇ,uop ˙˙˙sı ʇı ʎɐʍ ǝɥʇ sı ʇsod sıɥʇ ʎɥʍ sı ʇɐɥʇ puɐ ɥƃnɐן ǝɯ ǝpɐɯ 'ʎןʇuǝɔǝɹ ssoɹɔɐ ǝɯɐɔ ı ƃuıɥʇǝɯos

 ˙ǝʞıן pןnoʍ ı sɐ ɥɔnɯ sɐ pǝʌǝıɥɔɐ ʇ,uǝʌɐɥ ı ɥƃnoɥʇןɐ sǝıɹǝʇʇɐq ǝɥʇ ǝƃɹɐɥɔ oʇ 'ʞɹoʍ ɟɟo ǝɯıʇ ǝɯos pǝʎoɾuǝ ǝʌɐɥ ı

˙ɹǝʇuıʍ uı sʇɟɐɹp ǝɥʇ ɟo ǝɯos ʍoןs oʇ pǝןןnd ǝq uɐɔ ɥɔıɥʍ - ʍopuıʍ ǝɥʇ ǝɯɐɹɟ oʇ suıɐʇɹnɔ ɯɐɥƃuıƃ ǝɥʇ (ʎןʇsoɯ) pǝʇǝןdɯoɔ uǝʌǝ puɐ ʇǝןıoʇ sɹıɐʇsuʍop ʍoןןǝʎ (pıɔɐ) ǝɥʇ ƃuıʇuıɐd pǝɥsıuıɟ ǝʌɐɥ ı

 ˙dn ʇnd ǝq uɐɔ ǝןod puɐ uıɐʇɹnɔ ɹoop ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʇ ɹǝʇɟɐ ʇnq 'ʇɐoɔ ɹǝɥʇouɐ ǝʌɐɥ oʇ ǝʌɐɥ sǝop ʇı - ʇuıɐd ǝןqɐɥsɐʍ-uou uo ʞɹɐɯ ɹıǝɥʇ ǝʌɐǝן uɐɔ sƃop ʇǝʍ ʇnq 'ǝƃuɐɥɔ ǝƃnɥ ɐ ʇou os ɐıןouƃɐɯ sɐʍ ʇı 'ʇuıɐd ʞןıs ɯɐǝɹɔ ʇɟos ɟo ʇɐoɔ ǝuo ɥʇıʍ pǝʇuıɐd uǝǝq sɐɥ ɥɔɹod ɹǝuuı ǝɥʇ

  ˙pǝןʇʇoq ǝq pןnoɔ ʇɐɥʇ ƃuıɥʇǝɯos sı ʎɹpunɐן pǝıɹp ʎןɥsǝɹɟ ɟo ןןǝɯs ǝɥʇ ʞuıɥʇ ı puɐ ǝuıɥsuns ʎq ʎɹp oʇ pɐǝʇsuı ƃuıɹɹǝɟǝɹd ɹǝıɹp ǝןqɯnʇ ɐ ƃuıuʍo ʇou oʇ ʇıɯpɐ ı - ʇıq ɐ ƃoןʞɔɐq ǝɥʇ uo dn ƃuıɥɔʇɐɔ 'ƃuıɥsɐʍ ɟo sʇoן ɹnoɟ ǝuop osןɐ ǝʌɐɥ ı

˙ʎɐpoʇ ɯıɥ uo ǝʎǝ ǝsoןɔ ɐ dǝǝʞ oʇ pǝʇuɐʍ ʇnq ɟɟo ǝuo ɐ  sɐʍ ɯıɥ pǝןqnoɹʇ ʇɐɥʇ sɐʍ ʇı ɹǝʌǝ ʇɐɥʍ ƃuıdoɥ ɯɐ ı ˙ɹǝuuıp ןɐɯɹou sıɥ ɟo 3/1 ʇnoqɐ sʇınɔsıq ʍǝɟ ɐ ɥʇıʍ sƃƃǝ pǝןqɯɐɹɔs ǝɯos uǝʇɐǝ sɐɥ ʇsnɾ ʎןuo puɐ ʎɐp ǝɥʇ ʇnoɥƃnoɹɥʇ ɯɹɐʍ ʎɹǝʌ sɐʍ ǝɥ ʇnq dn pǝuɐǝןɔ ʎןʞɔınb sɐʍ ʇı puɐ ɯooɹɥʇɐq ǝɥʇ ƃuısn ןןǝʍ ʎɹǝʌ ʇods sıɥ ǝsoɥɔ ǝɥ ʎןןnɟʞuɐɥʇ - ʇɥƃıuɹǝʌo ,ʇuǝpıɔɔɐ, uɐ pɐɥ ɯıɥ ǝʞıןun ʇsoɯ puɐ ʇɥƃıu ǝɥʇ ƃuıɹnp ɹnoןoɔ ɟɟo sɐʍ ʎɥdɹnɯ ʇnq 'ʎɐp ǝɥʇ ǝq oʇ pǝsoddns sɐʍ ʎɐpoʇ ǝƃɐɹɐƃ ǝɥʇ uı pǝuıɐɯǝɹ ǝʌɐɥ ʎǝɥʇ ɹǝɥʇouɐ puɐ ƃuıɥʇ ǝuo ɥʇıʍ 'ʇno sǝʞıq ǝɥʇ ƃuıʇʇǝƃ sı ʞǝǝʍ sıɥʇ pǝʞɔɐן ǝʌɐɥ ı ƃuıɥʇ ǝuo ǝɥʇ


Oh and I did this courtesy of here

29 June 2011

Baby Tsunami hits Cornwall

The freaky little wave turned tides, sent fish jumping out of the water and caused static electricity – which literally put everyone’s hair on end. Experts have told the BBC the bizarre phenonemon was caused by an submarine landslide out to sea on Monday morning. Luckily, the resultant surge of water was only about a foot high.

Experts believe the strange wave lowered air pressure, which caused static in the air. Graphic designer Ben went on: “It was definitely odd and pretty un-nerving.“But I didn’t see any of the traditional Tsunami signs – like retreating water. “So there wasn’t any panic.” Boatman Dave Ladner told BBC reporters: “The funniest thing was on the causeway all the ladies’ hair was standing on end with the static. The sea on the eastern side was probably eight inches to a foot higher than the rest. “It was pouring over the causeway like a torrent.”

Dr Mark Davidson said the wave, which has been unexplained by any traditional shore-based indicators, probably started with a landslide way out to sea. The Plymouth University lecturer said: “These events are quite rare and it’s probably not a tidal phenomenon. “It’s probably more likely to be a tsunami of some kind, obviously it’s quite mild. It’s probably not due to an earthquake, which is the normal source. “It’s probably more likely to be a sub-marine landslide.”

The baby-tsunami grew in size as it spread up the coast: tidal guages recorded its size as 0.7ft in Newlyn, but 1.3ft by the time it reached Portsmouth. As it passed along Plymouth, a local landowner saw fishes leaping out of the water en masse, and the tide direction in the River Yealm briefly turned backwards.

27 June 2011

Pond Boys go to the Beach

Yesterday we woke up to fog, but it was a false fog as when we set off to the beach with the pond boys, the sun was shining at the bottom of the hill and it was not only sunny but very warm.

This is the freshwater pond, which has grown smaller since my last visit; it is just behind the beach which sadly the Pond Boys are no longer welcome on until October.

The Pond Boys loved the water, which gets quite deep and you can see that Jasper has already been dunked under by the water running down his head.

Murphy's first visit here, saw him go under and he didn't enjoy it at all and took a little while to realise he wasn't going to drown (not that I don't worry about him) but now he has every confidence and swims strongly.
Jasper uses his legs to great benefit, and therefore is faster in the water as well as on land. Hence we have to take two balls one for each one to fetch back.

However when Jasper has the ball, Murphy tends to lay in wait and ambush him generally though Jasper has the upper hand, he is quicker but also taller.
An hour's exercise here did both dogs the world of good, and they slept yesterday afternoon allowing me to finish the painting of the downstairs acid yellow toilet.. actually it is growing on me and I think more like mediterranean in colour.

26 June 2011

Potato Harvest

This was the total potato harvest from the five seed potatoes that were planted in a tub outside.

I can't remember the variety, but they were lovely and went from being part of a plant to on the plate in under two hours and the texture was absolutely gorgeous. Me, I'm a picky potato eater and don't always like them especially if they taste a little earthy; but these little chaps were like ambrosia on the tastebuds.

The last time I had potatoes like this, was when Dad was still alive, but it certainly won't be the last time I attempt to grow them. Still searching for some late seed potatoes to plant for harvesting late summer.

25 June 2011

Saturday Satire : Sisters of St Francis

A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway when he notices a sign out of the corner of his eye.... It reads:


SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION

... 10 MILES


He thinks this is a figment of his imagination and drives on without a second thought....

Soon he sees another sign which reads:


SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION

5 MILES




Suddenly he begins to realise that these signs are for real and drives past a third sign saying:


SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION

NEXT RIGHT


His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into the drive. On the far side of the parking lot is a stone building with a small sign next to the door reading:


SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS


He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is answered by a nun in a long black habit who asks, 'What may we do for you my son?'

He answers, 'I saw your signs along the highway and was interested in possibly doing business....'

'Very well my son. Please follow me.' He is led through many winding passages and is soon quite disoriented. The nun stops at a closed door and tells the man, 'Please knock on this door.'

He does so and another nun in a long habit, holding a tin cup answers the door... This nun instructs, 'Please place $100 in the cup then go through the large wooden door at the end of the hallway.'

He puts $100 in the cup, eagerly trots down the hall and slips through the door pulling it shut behind him

The door locks, and he finds himself back in the parking lot facing another sign:


GO IN PEACE.

YOU HAVE JUST BEEN SCREWED BY THE SISTERS

OF ST. FRANCIS.

SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU SINNER.

23 June 2011

Mellow Yellow

Decided to update the downstairs toilet, which is quite dark not to mention cold in winter, and everywhere is painted cream so we acquired some 'warm sunshine' paint.

The jury is out at the moment, if the lights are on, the yellow is overpowering, just think acid yellow and with only a limited amount of light coming through the small window it is a little better, but I have a sneaking thought that I may be repainting it before too long perhaps by adding some magnolia paint to tone down the yellow.

Best laid plans of mice and men... still only the other bathroom and kitchen to go this time around. I have an idea they all involve yellow and white but in varying degrees of yellowness.

The bedroom is next on my list, and I already have some purple paint, which will make a nice contrasting wall feature while the others will be a little less in your face.

21 June 2011

Midsummer is here

Greeted by rain and wind aplenty this morning and the news that the dry weather means there might be less blackberries and horse chestnuts around in the Autumn.

Still, the world has shifted once more, and from now on we are heading away from the warmth of the sun towards winter.. yep I know feeling like a killjoy lol

I am thinking that Summer may not be the glorious that we would like and expect but I am hoping instead that we get a lovely Autumn; my favourite time of year with the colours changing.

A friend of mine, well I call him that, is en-route to Cornwall by hand pedalled cycle, raising funds for the Colonel's funds Grenadier Guards. He set off from the Shetland Isles at the beginning of the month and is aiming for St Agnes on the Scilly Isles by the end of the month. He is arriving in Cornwall on 28th June and we are hoping for fine weather to greet and meet with him and his entourage and provide an escort to the ferry point at Penzance.

For more details click here

19 June 2011

Murphy is 2

Happy 2nd Birthday to Murphy, he has enjoyed a lovely walk, a birthday biscuit and some new toys including a purple squeeky bone.. Jasper is confused but he will get the idea when he turns 2 in August..

Here are some pictures of Murphy to enjoy, complete with a picture of mini-me a leonardo figurine. On the right, he is contemplating where to start on the postman's leg (Note : this is not a real postman, nor from a postman's leg but a beef bone).

This was taken, not long after he came to us, looking lovely and slim - oh dear what have we become chunky monkey Murphy!

This was taken in March, the picture on the right, and that is Jasper's rubber toy he acquired.. I think he swapped it for a rope toy which Jasper promptly chewed up.


Jasper has his birthday in August, so expect more pictures then.

18 June 2011

Saturday Satire : 50+ Women

A 50 yr plus woman was at home happily jumping on her bed and squealing with delight.

Her husband watches her for a while and asks, "Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look?, What's the matter with you?"

The woman continues to bounce on the bed and says, "I don't care, I just came from having a mammogram and the doctor says I have the breasts of an 18 year-old".

The husband said, "What did he say about your 56 year old ass?"

"Your name never came up!!!" she replied.

17 June 2011

Just what is a literacy portfolio

I got asked this a while ago, apologies for not explaining sooner.

We currently teach Key Skills, which require a test and a portfolio. The test is multiple choice, although some of the questions are obvious, others are a little more tricky but still at the end of the day you could just randomly pick an answer and have a 1 in four chance of being correct.

The portfolio is evidence collecting, and requires at level 2

the student to participate in a group discussion, to make a clear and relevant contribution, and to progress the discussion forward - easier said than done at times when some of the students are only 17/18 years old.

To deliver a talk of a minimum of four minutes on a topic of your choice - to have a plan for the talk and to speak clearly, to keep within the plan and to demonstrate knowledge of task.

To identify, two documents on the same subject, and to highlight the main points in order to produce a summary.

To create a second document, we usually suggest a leaftlet or poster, but could be a newsletter on a topic of your choice; to include a copyright free image.

Some of these activities are challenging to some students, especially if they struggled at schools and we try to provide a supportive environment for the students; which in the main is appreciated, but like every other profession you can get a mismatch of personalities.

Average completion time for a portfolio is about 2 months, however we have just finished delivering a 5 week course with 4 1/2 hours per week to ten students and the majority of them completed both the literacy and numeracy portfolios or have substantially completed most elements so I think this may be more the future of the programme.

16 June 2011

Learning to Play

This is my new acquisition, a 25 year old clarinet as described on a popular auction site as "This clarinet belonged to my sister, she had it about 25 years ago and it was second hand then. All I can tell you about it was that it sounded lovely.

There is no brand that I can see and the condition is fair, just needs some TLC.  Also it has no hardcase, but just a padded case, made by my mum!

All parts seem to be working, but as I can't play the clarinet and I do struggle to get a sound out of it, you may find a fault that I don't."
 
It arrived about 10 days ago, and no I have never played the clarinet before, but before I got my motorbike licence I had never ridden one before and I didn't let that stop me from getting my A rated licence on a big bike.

I paid £25 incl P&P and a further £11 for a case for it. It hasn't been used in a long while and after a nice session cleaning it and putting a new reed in place as well as rethreading the sections I have managed to get a nice tone out of it. Now the hard work begins! Lessons cost about £25 an hour, but luckily I know someone who plays and I might get some starter lessons free (or at least cheap). I have also picked up a book on the clarinet, providing guidance on maintaining it and a fingering chart as well as scales so the start is the very beginning.

14 June 2011

First Produce

We had new potatoes tonight, grown by yours truly in the garden at Tre Agan. I would have left them a little longer, but the recent winds had broken some of the stems of the potato plants leaving me no choice but to harvest.

We didn't get that many, but as a first attempt I was delighted with the outcome and the flavour was great. They were harvested, cooked and eaten within two hours.. even Birds Eye couldn't do any better.

Served up with English lamb steaks, fresh carrots (though not home grown) and some Cornish cauliflower they tasted like ambrosia and I finally get it, why Dad grew his own. It wasn't the savings in money, but the enhanced flavour and knowing it was your own hard work.. Bless you Dad, it has only taken me the best part of 50 years to work that out.. I obviously wasn't there when they handed out the brains lol.

So I am hoping to get some more seed potatoes in, I think I have a chance with the extended growing season down here to get one more crop in and enjoy the fruits but certainly planning on doing more and have my name down for an allotment as well.. nothing like future planning.

Green Men

 These are the two green men pendants? I brought from the online auction site. This one has a darker tinge of green to it and a hard to read expression on his face.

The ribbon threaded through it is the Cornish tartan, but it would equally work with a plain green ribbon I think.

The second green man pendant, on the right, is much easier to see the detail of the expression. I was lucky to get these two for £3.00 each and the seller carefully wrapped them along with the celtic pottery bowl.

The bowl is approximately three inches in diameter, and a lovely shade of blue as you can see by the pictures below.

Inside is quite plain, but almost a lapiz lazuli blue colour, while the outside is more decorated with blue's and dark greens. This came from the same seller, who packed them so securely for the trip down to the edge of the world that they arrived in perfect condition. I will admit to using the bowl to keep my car keys in on the mantlepiece, because it is nice to put them in a container. I am now keeping my eye on a plate in a similar style for the dining room table.

For illuminary, the picture on the left is of a piece of Troika Pottery, probably to me one of the nice one's I think but many of the pieces are not so pretty.

The Troika pottery, was set up in February 1963 by Leslie Illsley, Benny Sirota, and Jan Thompson, who each put up £1000 to take over the Wells Pottery at Wheal Dream, St Ives, Cornwall from 1963 to 1970, when it moved to Newlyn where it remained until its closure in 1983.

Troika had two main ranges of ceramics — the rough textured range and the smooth glazed ranges. Although there was some crossover in shapes and styles between the ranges, they each had different characters and different successes. Today, the rough glazed wares are more popular and numerous, although the smooth glazed wares are rarer and amongst some collectors, more sought after.

Pics from Royal Cornwall Show

Great greens display
Carriage driving, sorry didn't see who won


Lovely Pig, having a nap

Love these small dexter cattle against the others they look like dwarf cows  lol

This originally came from Thetford in Norfolk

Used to drive a belt driven saw mill, fascinating

13 June 2011

Boy did it rain yesterday

Woke up to a heavy downpour of rain, which while expected nevertheless was not appreciated by anything other than the garden.

Still, after a busy day Saturday catching up with the hoovering and the washing it was nice to be able to spend some time yesterday having a baking day. My total at the end of the day was two sponge cakes, one fruit cake, a toffee peach sponge (which was to be dessert after the roast chicken dinner), roasted chicken with roasted new potatoes cooked with fresh mint from the garden and petis pois and carrots.

We had a late lunch (or early dinner), and afterwards the Pond Boys and I took advantage of a lull in the weather and headed out for a walk before they had their dinner and I had a leisurely bath with some well deserved Sanctuary while OH watched the swamp drive of the Grand Prix of wherever (if you can tell I don't enjoy F1 you would be correct; but a girl can't always enjoy what their others halves do and better by far to do something for themselves lol).

My parcels also arrived from e-bay and contained a number of interesting things including a bowl from the celtic pottery (I can't afford Troika even if I liked it!) and from the same seller two green men with holes to thread cord through. I have threaded them onto Cornish Tartan ribbon and may place one at the front door and one at the back I haven't quite made up my mind. My other purchase was a clarinet, something I have wanted for a very long time and although not an expensive (or new) one, there is a nice feeling about owning a pre-loved one.

11 June 2011

Saturday Satire : Man and Wife

Man sitting at home on the veranda with his wife and he says, "I love you."

She asks, "Is that you or the beer talking?"

He replies, "It's me............. talking to the beer."

08 June 2011

Royal Cornwall Show

Organised and planned teaching bookings in order to go to the Royal Cornwall show at Wadebridge, so an early start, dogs walked before they had breakfast and sandwiches done we headed up the A30 to the showground.

I am guessing we were lucky with the date and weather, by luck not coincidence. Apart from one heavy shower, we were blessed with blue skies and sunshine most of the day. A visit to the food tent saw us with new tote bags courtesy of Rodda's Cornish Cream having just launced their new design. It does grow on you, although it is so different from the old branding.

A wine tasting at another stand saw us have a taste of a wine made from the dornburger grape variety and a taste of Cornish Blue cheese, which I actually I liked (and I don't normally go for blue cheeses). I brought a block of beeswax for rethreading something.

We walked around to drop off some information to Pirate FM/Atlantic FM as well as BBC Radio/TV regarding a trip Darren Heaton is doing from the Shetland Isles to the Isles of Scilly in aid of the Colonel's fund. We hope to do some escorting while he is in Cornwall, which will be about the 28th June all being well.

After that, we saw some dog judging, lots of lovely black labradors out and about yesterday. Then across to the sheep, the pigs, the cows, rare breeds etc before looking at very expensive recreational vehicles including bikes, cars, mobile homes and various parts of machinery.

Finally we stopped for a pint of St Austell's new beer "Trelawney", very nice it was too and accompanied by a set done by the Fisherman's Friends a group from Port Isaac or to those more familiar with Doc Martin, Port Wenn. I even got a CD signed by the lads.

Lastly, we found some steam engines, old and older.. lovely and smelly.. couldn't ask for any better but by now we were getting cold and tired and the boys were waiting at home for us to let them out. We were greeted with great enthusiasm when we arrived home.

07 June 2011

Middle Aged Texting Codes

ATD -at the doctor.
BFF -best friend fell.
BTW -bring the wheelchair.
BYOT -bring your own teeth.
FWIW -forgot where I was.
GGPBL -gotta go, pacemaker battery low.
GHA -got heartburn again.
IMHAO -is my hearing aid on?
LMDO -laughing my dentures out.
OMMR -on my massage recliner.
ROFLACGU -rolling on floor laughing and can't get up.
TTYL -talk to you louder!

Got any others you know about?

06 June 2011

Sunny Sunday

While Leanne, and Kath not to mention a few others suffered deluges of rain, here at the Edge of the World we have had cloud but not a drop of rain and the ground is as dry as a bone.

The boys went for a walk over the fields, but even that early in the morning they got so hot very quickly that it wasn't too long before heading home.

A quick shop, at a local supermarket, and lunch was obtained. A nice quiche, with salad and a new potato salad (not from the garden yet!) and it was lovely. Enough for some left overs in the lunch boxes today.

Downloaded the pics from the camera, planted the fuschia's in the garden and it is looking as though we might actually benefit from the rain, but I am not banking on it. Today is scheduled to be dry with sunny intervals, while Tuesday is light rain. At any time soon I will expect a hosepipe ban to be announced.

05 June 2011

Pond Boys go Large

I know, late as ever with the photographs.. sorry, life and work got in the way.

Last week, on Tuesday, the Pond Boys and I walked up Carn Marth again, this time past the quarry, heading for the top where I had been told there was a larger pond.

Here are the boys enjoying themselves, and as you can see much larger than the other pond




Both of them enjoyed themselves immensely and I want to go back there again soon.

04 June 2011

Saturday Satire : To Wake a Cat

A school teacher was speaking to her class about what they had done at home over the weekend. Did they have any pets etc. She asked little Freddie who had thrust his hand up eager to answer and to to say what he had done.

Freddie said. "Well Miss my job on Sunday tea-times is to wake the cat up so it can go and have it's dinner".

Miss replied. " Thats good, you helping out, how did you wake the cat?"

Freddie replied. "Easy Miss. I just pissed in each of it's ears.

Miss, a little taken aback said. "Freddie thats not nice is it I think you had better come and speak to me".

So Freddie trots off to speak to the teacher who says to him. "What you said in class was not nice was it just how did you do it

Freddie replies. That's ok Miss. I just leaned over the cat and went Psssst in each of its ears.

03 June 2011

At last it's Friday

A long week, well actually all of two days work, but not done yet as I am working tomorrow in Truro with a student who wants the peace and quiet that is to be found there.. that and do some shopping afterwards.

The weather has been a bit up and down here, with fog and mist in the evenings but that has quickly gone as the sun came up and today it is hotter than inside the oven. Not complaining though it is nice even if it feels too hot for anything.

I spent four and a half hours, with a fellow tutor, teaching a group of students enough to pass their literacy portfolio; it was a warm and stuffy room and were it not for the location being where it was I would have suggested going out into the fresh air. Bless them, despite their apparent distaste for some of the activities they battled it out to get through so we finished 15 mins early. 

A nice cool drink, something to eat and I now feel more human.

Plantings

On the left are the fuschia cuttings I took, out of the six I got four growing and all now have been planted in the garden.

On the right are the wigelia cuttings, they have been slower but are still getting there.
 The big bush on the left is my potato planter, actually a plastic bag with 5 spuds in it.. they are just about to flower so hoping for some homegrown tatties soon. Just need to find out when to harvest them.

The last planter, also another plastic bag, contains runner beans. This year decided to try this method as the dogs sometimes run riot in the garden, but have a cunning plan for next year involving raised beds which will also improve the soil as underneath the grass it is very poor and contains lots of stones.

01 June 2011

Pond Boys II

I hope to load up the pictures later so please excuse my tardiness. We had an extra day off, something for being good little people and it is a nice idea, better than an extra day at Christmastime when the weather is definitely not for doing outdoor jobs.
The boys and I set out for Carn Marth again yesterday, the rains had eased and it was just a little damp with the hint of a blue sky and hopefully sunshine we headed off up the hill.

We took the same route up as last time, staying off the main roads in favour of the footpaths and bridleways and the growth of the flowers (Weeds and nettles) since the last visit is truly spectacular. This time instead of turning off the bridleway towards the quarry we carried on up to the top and to officially mark the top of Carn Marth is a Waystone. We carried on around the trackway to the right of this stone and Murphy could smell the water, pulling harder in an effort to get there faster.

Eventually we arrived at a point where we could see the water, only it was about 15 ft below us, not that Murphy would have minded but he and Jasper stayed on the lead until we reached the beach location at one side of the quarry and then I let them off. It was like watching two teenagers in action, anything and everything had to be explored and then they would shake themselves causing mini-storms and rainbows in their paths. Jasper is quite keen on water it seems, he is happy to put his head under water to explore what is underneath and came out with a large branch wagging his tail in joy.

However when this was thrown back in the water, it immediately sank again this time without a trace. Shame on me as I didn't bring a tennis ball which they could have fetched but it does give us a walk to a swimming place as now many of the beaches are off limits to the boys until late o clock.

From the side of the pool there is a viewing platform, with views out to Bodmin more, the Falmouth estuary, Stithians reservoir etc even the tip at United Downs is listed as a viewpoint for some strange reason?

We eventually headed back down the hill, stopping at the little quarry for a runaround to help them dry off in the now warmer sunshine before heading further down and home via a bridleway/right of way which may or may not offer a short cut.

The boys were tired out yesterday evening, stirring only for their evening meal and then curling up together to sleep again. I would get photos of this companionship but I never have the camera to hand and as soon as one of us moves they wake up.

Back to work today.